Jubilant Giles wins it for South Saxons

South Saxons had a good win at Mid Sussex

Playing their first Sussex Hockey division two league game since the second lockdown, Paul Merison’s men struggled to get a foothold in the game.

The hosts deservedly took the lead from open play in the sixth minute after setting up camp in Saxons’ half.

They went on to constantly pressure Saxon’s backline, with keeper Mike Sutton making several close range saves to keep the score 1-0 at the break.

But the second half was classic Saxons as they reorganised and reasserted themselves.

Despite several breaks, it took until the 54th minutefor them to get on level terms.

Ben Kemsley, playing his first game of the season for the thirds, rifled home a pass from Sol Buckner during a short corner routine.

Tails up, Saxons poured forward but couldn’t the final effective pass into the D continued to elude them.

They had to wait until the 67th minute when evergreen defender Pete Tomlinson raced up the pitch and fired at goal. Giles picked up the clearance kick from the Middi’s keeper and lashed home an angled shot to spark the celebrations.

Saxons sit in third place with a game in hand.

Saxons: Sutton, Tomlinson, Constable, Waters, Merison, Dickie, B Kemsley, J Kemsley, Whitaker, Buckner, Sheldon, Giles, Chambers. MoM: Sutton